Crime Survivor Support and Stability Act of 2026

Bill Number: H.R. 8426
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-04-21: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Last Updated: 2026-05-01T18:34:49Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Crime Survivor Support and Stability Act of 2026 (H.R. 8426) aims to encourage states to review and improve their laws to better support survivors of violence (individuals who have experienced acts like bodily injury, threats with weapons, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or trafficking). It establishes federal grant programs to provide flexible cash assistance through community organizations and to fund state surveys on survivors' needs.

Key Provisions

Sense of Congress on Survivor Rights (Sec. 2): Urges states to ensure survivors have access to:
Community-based trauma healing support.
Quick, flexible financial aid without heavy paperwork.
Stable housing (e.g., breaking leases without penalty or eviction protection).
Paid, job-protected leave for recovery needs.
Debt forgiveness for victimization-related debts.
Legal help for housing, jobs, immigration, or family issues.
Optional community-based alternatives to criminal prosecution.
Protection from arrest/conviction for trauma-related offenses, plus reduced sentences or record clearing.

These rights cannot be limited by reporting to police, cooperation with law enforcement, demographics (e.g., race, immigration status), criminal history, or perpetrator identity.

Flexible Cash Assistance Grants (Sec. 3): Authorizes the Department of Justice's (DOJ) Office for Victims of Crime to award 4-year grants ($40 million annually for FY 2027–2031) to community-based nonprofits (not law enforcement) for direct, unrestricted cash to survivors and families. Key features:
Minimal paperwork; no crime reporting or service requirements.
Priorities: Organizations in high-gun-violence/imprisonment areas, led by survivors/ex-incarcerated people, serving vulnerable groups (e.g., people of color, immigrants, unhoused, low-income).
Funds excluded from income taxes and federal/state benefit means tests.
Reporting on usage; DOJ provides technical assistance and evaluation.

State Victim Surveys (Sec. 4): Grants to states ($5 million for FY 2027 and 2031) for surveys on survivors' service needs, experiences (e.g., housing, police interactions), and gaps, with priority for vulnerable populations. States report results publicly via DOJ's Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Definitions (Sec. 5): Clarifies terms like survivor of violence, community-based organization (nonprofits serving local areas, excluding law enforcement), family member, and Tribal organization.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Introduces new federal grant programs not previously authorized.
Creates exclusions for grant cash assistance from federal income taxes (under IRC §61) and means-tested benefits (except certain Victims of Crime Act provisions).
No direct mandates on states, but expresses congressional intent to influence state laws.

Potential Impacts

Citizens/Survivors: Increased access to flexible financial, housing, and legal support without barriers like police reporting, potentially improving safety, healing, and stability, especially for marginalized groups.
Government Agencies: DOJ (Office for Victims of Crime and Bureau of Justice Statistics) gains new administrative duties, including grant management, technical aid, and evaluations (up to 8% of funds).
States/Communities: Encourages law reforms; funds surveys to inform policy; promotes geographic diversity in grants.
No direct international relations impact.

Main Stakeholders

Survivors of violence and families: Primary beneficiaries.
Community-based organizations: Grant recipients, especially those serving high-risk, diverse communities.
States: Encouraged to update laws; receive survey grants.
DOJ and federal agencies: Administer programs.
Vulnerable populations: E.g., survivors of color, immigrants, formerly incarcerated, unhoused, LGBTQ+ individuals.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Emphasizes voluntary, non-coercive support, decoupling aid from criminal justice involvement; protects against discrimination in aid access.
Constitutional: Aligns with federal spending power for grants; "sense of Congress" is non-binding but persuasive for states.
Political: Bipartisan referral to Judiciary and Ways/Means Committees; focuses on equity for underserved groups without mandating changes, potentially influencing state victim rights laws.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

Cosponsors (5)

Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

Recent Actions

2026-04-21: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-04-21: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2026-04-21: Introduced in House
2026-04-21: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Crime Survivor Support and Stability Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-21 — PDF (19 pages)